Thank you all for being with us at this momentous event, as we expand our horizons, celebrating Chile’s Accession to the OECD and officially inviting three other dynamic economies,Estonia, Israel and Slovenia to join us. The presence of Prime Ministers and Ministers at this event underlines the level of commitment that, as an organisation, we will have to working with our new members.

For our new and prospective Members, the conclusion of the accession process is not the end, but a new beginning. As Members, each will be able to tap into the vast policy experience and dialogue that the OECD can offer, in continually reviewing and upgrading their policy frameworks.

In facing global challenges, the OECD will, in turn, be strengthened by its new Members as an increasingly global, dynamic and vibrant forum for policy dialogue, working to build a stronger, cleaner and fairer world economy.

May I now turn the floor to the Chairman of our Ministerial Council Meeting, Prime Minister Berlusconi.